Following up on agents...

[Gabriella]

Hi everyone,

This seems to be a very up and down topic and I need some help deciding what to do.

I've written to a few agents and received some 'thanks but no thanks' replies but these have mostly been by post. Most of my e-mail submissions seem to have gone unnoticed or at least un-replied to.

I would like to call these agents up and ask if they've received my submission but I've heard so many people say not to pester, but then I know some people say that making a phone call is perfectly fine. So should I call? If I do call I'm not too sure what I should say!

I hope some of you can help me!!

Thanks,
Gabriella

[cops22]

You could always email and just say that you submitted your CV etc and don't want to be a bother or rush anyone but if someone could just give you a quick reply as to whether they received it or not you would really appreciate it.
This way you are not interuppting them like a phonecall would be but will hopefully get a response
Good luck

[pinky3]

I think a phone call is a good test of whether they are approachable or not. You don't want an agent who you don't feel you can discuss things with. I agree you don't want to give the impression you will be a pain but just be confident and brief and you will find out whether they might be right for you!!

[pg]

I would agree that a phone call follow up is fine if you really want to know and can´t rest until you do. Be prepared for most of them to be "no thanks" though. If they are interested in you, they won´t mind being reminded of your application and you won´t be annoying them. If they are not interested in you, the phone call might be a bit annoying, but it won´t really matter!

Generally, if an agent has not responded it does mean that they are not interested. They do get inundated with requests for representation.

The "don´t keep phoning your agent" advice is really for when you are already represented. You need to check with your agent at the very start about how they like to be contacted. I only phone my agent if I need an immediate response about something - otherwise I email her so that she can reply in her own time and I know I will not be interrupting anything. She is usually very prompt indeed at responding. She knows that I only phone when email won´t do, so she never minds if I do phone.

[Gabriella]

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to look back over a couple of the websites for the agencies and use that to help me decide but I think I'm erring toward a follow up email.